Etendre dire

Michael R.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Etendre dire

 In the writing challenge "C1 Writers Block", I was wondering why, after les gens in the second line, the infinitive 'dire' is used and not a conjugated verb. Is it because of the indirect reporting expression "Entendre Dire.
Asked 6 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Michael,

"J'ai souvent entendu les gens dire ça" , the expression is 'entendre dire', to hear (someone say) when 'dire' will always be in the infinitive as it is the second verb, 'entendre' will be conjugated if required.

J'ai entendu dire que vous ne seriez pas là vendredi prochain.

(I heard that you would not be here next Friday.)

Je suis heureux de vous l'entendre dire. 

(I am happy to hear you say that.)

Hope this helps!

Michael R.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thanks, that helps,  thats what I thought. It was the << les gens>> that made me wonder if it was a different construction.

Etendre dire

 In the writing challenge "C1 Writers Block", I was wondering why, after les gens in the second line, the infinitive 'dire' is used and not a conjugated verb. Is it because of the indirect reporting expression "Entendre Dire.

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...